More than half of mental health practitioners say the proportion of time they are spending on patients' non-health issues such as money problems and housing has increased over the past year. Some 57% of staff reported feeling this way, Citizens Advice found. More than four in five (84%) mental health…

Six police officers and staff will face misconduct proceedings following the death of a man with mental health problems in police custody. A Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant, two detention officers and three police constables will face misconduct hearings, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. Thomas Orchard, 32,…

The Public Health Agency (PHA) has confirmed arrangements for delivery of Lifeline, Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline service, beyond April this year. The current contractor, Contact (Northern Ireland), had decided not to accept the offer of extension after March 2018 and with PHA unable to source a suitable alternative provider,…

A new kind of antipsychotic has been found to relieve terrifying and disturbing symptoms suffered by millions of people with Alzheimer's disease worldwide. New research has found that Pimavanserin significantly improves psychosis symptoms in people with the condition, without the devastating side-effects of currently-used antipsychotics. Scientists also found that the…

The energy industry is to investigate how it can improve its standards of care and support for vulnerable customers. Trade association Energy UK has launched a new independently-chaired commission which will hold hearings across the UK over the coming months to hear from consumer, elderly, disability and mental health groups…

Hundreds of school leaders say they have had difficulties commissioning mental health services for pupils, according to a survey published by children's charity Place2Be. The research showed that while 84% of secondary schools and 56% of primary schools offered some form of counselling services for students, almost half said that…

A new initiative to prevent mental health problems arising in children with long-term physical conditions has been successfully piloted across Scotland and is now available to schools and youth organisations nation-wide. Long term conditions, such as arthritis, spina bifida, epilepsy and diabetes often have a profound impact on the mental…

An event exploring the growing issue of self-harm will take place in Sheffield later this month. Self-harm is an important health concern in the UK with numbers seemingly rising, especially in teens, with one recent study claiming that UK GPs witnessed a 68 per cent increase in the number of…